It’s a shame that the misdemeanours of church figures, politicians and other identities have taken up so much of the press this year. The infighting and personal vendettas of our politicians as ever, adding low levels of confidence amongst the populous.

To compound the issue, it gives our low-level media outlets easy targets to twist the dagger into.. another angle to their usual sell the fear tactic; get the eyeball, sell the click, alas now so common within the online media. Sadly, this approach has seeped through the traditional media like an illness, proclaiming doom and gloom, citing in many cases one off examples and making them sound like they are prevalent in our community.

I’m often asked what is it that drives someone to want to build a property portfolio? For many its as simple as creating wealth to fund their future, giving them the opportunity to have choices later in life rather than a forced hand. For some this might be as simple as bolstering the funds they to retire on, for others an important part can be to provide a head start in property for their children or a legacy to the family or chosen cause. Of course, to be in a position of any philanthropy, charity must start at home!

To achieve financial freedom, motivation is the key and with that in mind as with any big goal in life it is important to focus on the prize and plan accordingly. For many it can be as simple as they know they want to get ahead but still haven’t worked out how, that’s why we go to all the effort to ensure that they are making the right decisions and have the financial capacity to be successful.

It’s Star Wars time, thankfully not an argument with Tango top and the rocket man of North Korea but the latest instalment of space opera from Mr Skywalker and company. In the news today, I read that there’s a bit of bickering going on amongst fans with an online petition calling for Disney to "re-make Episode VIII properly". My goodness, really? Really?!

Anyhow this got me thinking about all things Star Wars and a funny thing that happened in the Australian Census a few years back.

Is it just because we have been fudging our way for aeons, or is it because with the leader of the new world won his position by warped truth and factual distortion that it’s now fashionable; this belief that it’s now totally cool to lie, cheat and deceive.

I still shudder when I look back at the GFC, an event mostly set off by the repackaging of subprime mortgages market in the US, compounded by banker greed and excessive risk taking. One wonders have we ever learned our lesson?

Is it because of this that we somehow our DNA has picked up in the same willingness to win at all cost, albeit usually to others? How long can we get away with all these little fudges? Do we keep pushing till one cataclysmic event tears the fabric from society and leaves us counting the cost again?